Roof hatch



W. A DAVIS Nov. 22, 1938.

ROOF HATCH Filed Jan. 30, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l w. A. DAVIS ROOF HATCH Nov. 22, 1938 Filed Jan. 50, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 b Ill/l //l a 16 W Tinesa flu/6 3? WP Patented Nov. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES ROOF HATCH William A. Davis, Malden, Mass., assignor to Bab-t cock-Davis Corporation, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application January 30, 1937, Serial No. 123,224

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to roof hatches, and is more particularly concerned with a construction of this character which effectually seals and locks a roof hatchway when not in use, but which may be readily opened and retained in open position during use.

The purpose and object of the invention is to provide a complete roof hatch which may be securely and adequately closed and locked when not in use, but which greatly facilitates removal of the cover to provide access to the enclosed hatchway. I

With this and other objects in view, various features of the invention consist in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention, Fig. 1 represents a section in elevation of the hatch; Fig. 2 is a detail illustrating a section of the cover support and hinge; and Fig. 3 is a detail illustrating the construction of the curbing and the manner in which the hatch cover may be sealed from the weather.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention discloses a complete and unitary metal roof hatch which may be secured upon a roof about the hatchway opening, and which when so secured forms a complete closed curbing and cover therefor, with provision for flashing to cover and protect all exposed joints between the curbing and roof.

As indicated more particularly in the drawings, the roof is shown generally at It) with the usual supporting timbers l2 surrounding a hatchway opening l4. The unitary hatch comprises a curbing I6 which corresponds with the size of the opening, and which has a horizontally extending flange l8 adapted to be secured to the roof by any desired method of attachment.

Reference to Fig. 2 illustrates the curbing and securing flange, together with a removable flashing strip 20, which may be bolted to the curbing at 22, and is provided with an offset portion 24 to form an enclosed space for receiving the upper portion of flashing 26 which extends down along the sides of the curbing and outwardly over the roof at 2B. The upper edge of the curbing is provided with a supporting rim 30 of cylindrical tubing secured to the curbing at 32, and providing a seat for the reception of the cover.

The hatch is closed by a cover member 34, preferably made of light metal such as aluminum or the like. The cover member is provided with a depending flange 36 and a seating strip 38 which rests upon the rim of the curbing when the cover is closed, and also serves to seal the interior of the hatch from the weather. The cover is normally operated with two compensating hinges designed for the dual purpose of retaining it in closed position and facilitating the lifting of the cover. To this end brackets 40 are secured to the inside of the curbing, and each bracket carries a lever 42 pivoted at 44 upon the bracket. The outer end of the lever 42 is connected through a link 46 with a bracket 48 secured to the cover. A second lever 50 is pivoted to the link at 52, has a pin and slot connection 54 with the bracket 40, and is connected through a second link 56 with the bracket 48 to provide for the opening and removal of the cover about a movable center and clear the upper edge of the curbing when thrown back. Closure and lifting of the cover is facilitated by a coiled spring 60 extending from the upper edge of the bracket 40 to a stud 62 connected with the lever 42. It will be observed from an inspection of Fig. 2 that when the cover is closed the medial line of the spring is at one side of the pivot 44, and after a slight movement of opening the center line of the spring passes to the other side of the pivot and tends to facilitate further opening movement. In closing the reverse takes place, and the final action is to aid securing of the cover through the spring.

The cover is maintained in open position by a locking bar 64 pivoted to the bracket 48 at 56, and extending at its lower end through a recessed bracket ill on the side of the curbing. A notch 12 in the locking bar registers with the recess to hold the cover in elevated position. When the cover is closed a recessed extension 14 registers with an opening 16 in the bracket 10 to permit insertion of a padlock bail or similar instrumentality, and preclude opening of the hatch from without.

The present type of hatch has many advantages over those commonly in use. Due to its unitary construction it may be simply mounted upon a roof by securing thereto and flashing. Due to the light weight of the cover and the use of the compensating hinges it may be readily elevated even in the wind without danger of losing the cover, and without risk of injury. When so elevated it may be retained through the locking bar in secure open position so long as the hatchway is in use. After closing the hatch is completely sealed and weatherstripped and locked against tampering from the outside.

What is claimed is:

1. A unitary closure for a roof hatch opening comprising a curbing having a seating rim at the upper edge, a cover seating upon the curbing rim and having a depending marginal flange, compensating hinges permanently connecting the inside 0! the curbing and the under side of the cover and each comprising two cperatively interconnected rocking lever and link connections cooperating to elevate and swing the cover about a movable center in a manner to cause the marginal flange at the hinged side oi the cover to clear the upper edge oi the curbing when the cover is thrown back and the hinged side is swung inwardly, a lifting spring connecting the levers and curbing, the spring being oil'set with respect to the pivotal point of one lever to provide a toggle action and facilitate both lifting movements and final seating during closing movement of the cover, and deformable means for sealing the cover which is compressed against the seating rim of the curbing during seating movement oi the cover under the action of the spring.

2. In combination with a roof hatch curbing and a cover seating upon the upper edge of the curbing and having a depending marginal flange, separate brackets attached to the inside of the curbing and the under side of the cover, two sets of links and levers connected in parallel to both of said brackets, means for pivotally connecting the link of one set to the lever oi the other set in a manner to cause said sets to collectively function as a compensating hinge operating to elevate and swing the cover about a movable center in a manner to cause the marginal flange at the hinged side oi the cover to clear the upper edge of the curbing when the cover is thrown back and the hinged side is swung inwardly, and a spring connected to one of said brackets and to the lever of one of said sets at a point spaced beyond its tulcrum so that the spring will move past said center with respect to said fulcrum to facilitate both lifting and closing movement of the cover.

WILIIAM A. DAVIS. 

